Schleiz Between Culture, Motorsport and Nature
Accommodation in Schleiz
Schleiz offers different sides of a trip: circular hiking trails through meadows and forests, culture on a city walk, and a long motorsport history. There are also special insights into porcelain, church art and historic domestic interiors. Which holiday apartment is right for your trip therefore also depends on whether you want to spend time outdoors or focus mainly on discovering culture and technology.
Circular Hiking Trails and Cycling Route
There are numerous circular hiking trails in the Schleiz area. These include family-friendly routes through landscapes of meadows and forests, with views of the Saale Cascades. Families hiking with children can choose from routes where the landscape and views are part of the experience. The term “circular hiking trails” describes a different way of getting around than a longer cycling route: you can decide whether you would rather spend the day hiking or cycling.
The Oberland cycle route runs from Schleiz to the Thuringian Sea. For a cycling trip, this connection provides a specific point of reference: Schleiz is at the start of the route mentioned. Hiking and cycling are therefore different interests to choose from, without assuming a particular route length or journey time. If you would mainly like to explore the region by bike, you can take this starting point into account when choosing where to stay.
History, the City and Technology
The Vogtland rulers’ small cultural trail is a walking tour through Schleiz that showcases cultural and historical sights. It is one way to get to know the city through its history and culture. St. Mary’s Church is another prominent attraction: it has been used as a place of worship for eight centuries and features rich Baroque decoration. The princely crypt contains the coffins of the counts and princes of Reuss. If you are interested in church art and regional history, you will find specific points of interest here for a culturally focused stay.
Another stop for culture enthusiasts is the “Alte Münze” (Old Mint) tourist information centre. It houses a permanent exhibition about Johann Friedrich Böttger and the history of the Meissen porcelain manufactory. The exhibition covers both an individual and the history of a manufactory. For a holiday that combines outdoor activities with culture, this topic complements the historical impressions of the city walk.
Dr. Konrad Duden is also associated with Schleiz: from 1869 to 1876, he was headmaster of the Gymnasium at the Rutheneum in Schleiz. This specific chapter of his life can be set in the context of the city’s history, adding a perspective on the history of education to the themes of church and porcelain.
Schleizer Dreieck lies south of the small town and is considered Germany’s oldest natural race circuit. In the old start and finish building, the “motorwelt Schleizer Dreieck” displays vehicles from different eras in the road circuit’s history of more than 100 years and invites visitors to Schleizer Dreieck. Motorsport thus offers a clear contrast to hiking trails and cultural sites. If technology and motorsport are among your interests, you can consider this focus alongside nature and urban history when planning your trip.
Burgk Castle and the View
Burgk Castle is one of the few surviving late medieval castles in Thuringia. Its special features include historic state rooms and living quarters, as well as a well-preserved collection of historic interior furnishings. The rooms’ furnishings take centre stage here, offering a different way to explore the past than an exhibition about porcelain or the history of a race circuit. This can help you choose your travel destinations if you are particularly interested in architectural history and historic domestic interiors.
At the Saale Tower in Burgk, a tall observation tower offers far-reaching views: the tower is 43 metres high, and you can reach its observation platform by climbing 192 steps. The maximum visibility is 32 kilometres. These details give you a clear idea of the viewpoint and help you factor in the steps when making your decision. The tower offers a different experience from the circular hiking trails, where the landscape and the Saale Cascades set the scene.
Choosing Schleiz as a Holiday Destination
When choosing a holiday apartment in Schleiz, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: circular hiking trails, the Oberland cycle route that begins in Schleiz, local history or the history of technology. Bus connections may also be useful for getting your bearings. Schleiz bus station has connections to Neustadt/Orla, Jena, Plauen, Zeulenroda, Saalburg-Ebersdorf and Bad Lobenstein. If you would like to include other places in your travel plans: Burkersdorf, Moßbach, Langenorla, Oppurg, Pößneck, Gahma, Crispendorf and Dittersdorf.
For the regional travel overview: Saale-Orla.
